In face of ethics law confusion over Christmas gifts, some teachers weigh in on what they value most

Melodie Cheatham, Dana Fleming, Clayton Holt and Suzie Walton, all Alabama public school teachers weigh in on gifts during the holiday season.

Parents who haven't yet picked up a Christmas gift for little Johnny or Susie's teacher have had good reason to procrastinate this year.

Alabama's
new ethics law has some parents stumped as to what's allowable this year and even an Alabama Ethics Commission attempt at clarification leaves some confusion.

Several public school teachers said they love gifts from their students,
but spending cuts leave them wanting supplies more, whatever the
monetary cap.

The Ethics Commission advised permissible gifts include homemade presents as well as gifts of minimal value. The commission also said students
could pool money together to give teachers gift cards toward classroom supplies,
as long as the gift cards were less than $100. The law nor
the commission names a particular price individual students must abide by.

The
confusion prompted the Madison City School Board to pass an ethics policy last night on acceptable gifts. The
Huntsville Times reports the policy
states that each child can give a gift worth no more than $10. Gifts of greater
value can be given if money is collected from several children, when each child
gives no more than $10. Other gifts costing more than $10 may be given, but
must be used to buy classroom supplies – not for personal gain.

Melodie Cheatham,
a seventh- and eighth-grade pre-AP English teacher at Floyd
Magnet Middle School in Montgomery, said if the school doesn't supply what she
needs, such as basics like paper, dry erase markers or teaching tools, she has
to purchase them herself. "This year
alone, I know I've spent more than $400," Cheatham said. "When I have the
necessary resources available, then it makes things easier so I don't have to
change the (way I teach)."

Cheatham
said the parents at Floyd are very involved and she knows they will get her a
gift even if she doesn't need it. This year at
Floyd, teachers put together wish lists for the PTSA open house earlier this
month to indicate needs by each
classroom.

Several other teachers
shared thoughts on gifts from students:

Suzie Walton is an English teacher at Curry High School in Walker County

"I've never
been one to teach in order to receive gifts. I never even think about what my
students may get me for my birthday, Christmas, or any other day of the week. However,
even though I'm not a 'gift person,' over the years I have received one gift
that I treasure more than anything -- a
large photo frame full of pictures of my students throughout the year
commemorating homecoming activities, Beta Club convention memories, and
publications trips. It is very meaningful and probably exceeds the limit on
teacher gifts because to me it is priceless."

Suzie Walton,
English teacher at Curry High School

Dana Fleming a teacher at Walker Elementary School in Samantha

"I love to
receive gifts and or gift cards I can use for my classroom. Like most teachers
I know, I spend a lot of my own money on my classroom and students. My students and I are always needing items
such as pencils, copy paper, tissues, dry erase markers, and paper towels. Gift cards to teacher supply stores such as
Learning Experiences or office supply stores such as Office Depot are always
great for when I'm looking for something specific or have a larger need."

Dana
Fleming, Walker Elementary School in Samantha

Clayton Holt is a 7th grade physical education teacher at Floyd Magnet Middle School in Montgomery

"Any gesture
is always appreciated – not just during Christmas. But I don't necessarily need
a gift to feel appreciated. Words are just as good for me."